Spurs news: Victor Wembanyama has need for revenge after NBA Finals loss

Spurs news: Victor Wembanyama has need for revenge after NBA Finals loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Though Victor Wembanyama hasn’t been in the NBA for long, relatively speaking, he’s never hidden his desire to reach the pinnacle. As the San Antonio Spurs went through media day on their way to the start of training camp, the Spurs’ generational talent discussed how close he is to reaching those goals — in the context of his team having fallen short in last year’s NBA Finals.

ClutchPoints asked the fourth-year Spur if coming up short in the championship series serves as the ultimate motivation for this season.

“I couldn’t imagine better motivation,” the two-time NBA All-Star answered succinctly.

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“I couldn’t imagine better motivation”
-Wemby on the effects of last year’s Finals L ⬇️

“It’s gonna get harder. Some teams make it to the Finals and can’t get back there”
-De’Aaron Fox

Talked w/the #Spurs as the ’26-27 campaign gets underway@HalftimePizza Silver & Black Report pic.twitter.com/swB9OfiQpQ

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) September 28, 2026

Victor Wembanyama expands on expectations for 2026-2027

The reigning Western Conference Champions return every rotational player and added veteran free agent Tobias Harris. Add the notion that the majority of their core should be a year better as most of them have yet to reach their prime, and the Spurs are, if not the favorite to again win the conference, then co-favorites with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Wemby agrees.

“We have some goals between us that we’re going to keep between us as teammates, but we have some other goals that are obvious. We won the West last year. We don’t want to do anything less this year and we want to be the first seed we want to keep fighting for this top spot.”

Wembanyama opens up about new reality

The towering center acknowledges that his desire to reach the top of the league has come with supersized attention — notoriety he said he coveted when he entered the league as the top overall pick in 2023.

“It is too much often, but it’s fine,” the second runner-up in last year’s MVP race said. “It’s all part of it. This is not what I work for, but this is a symbol of success to some extent. It’s a part of this, at least the run to the Finals is, or the playoffs in general are. It’s a good sign.

“Yeah, I still want it.”

Reminded that that attention took a bit of a turn during last season’s playoff run, the Le Chesnay France native took it in stride.

“I think it’s, I don’t know the word, but it feels like going through something of great magnitude, you know? Feels like destiny. We’re fighting for the top spot of the mountain and we’re going to have to move people in our way. That’s just the way it is, so I take it as a great sign of respect as well.”

22 years old until Jan. 4, Wembanyama already appears to understand the ebbs and flows of superstardom and partly embraces the villain role with which some tagged him toward the end of last season’s run.

“I think it’s, for the majority of it, it’s all fair sport. Fans will love if you go, if you’re on their team, and hate if you’re not. It’s  just the way people experience their own competitiveness. It’s normal. I don’t have nothing against it. I don’t feel any sort of way against it.”

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